2-week filing period for SC elections is under way

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Three candidates for state superintendent were among those filing for office through the South Carolina Election Commission on Monday, the first full day in the two-week period candidates have to submit paperwork and pay their fees.

The race to be South Carolina's next schools chief is expected to be the most crowded this year. On Monday, Molly Spearman and Don Jordan filed to run as Republicans. Montrio Belton filed for the Democratic nomination.

Eight Republicans have said they'll seek to replace GOP Superintendent Mick Zais, who announced in December he wouldn't seek a second term.

The filing period officially kicked off Sunday, when most county election offices were closed. State law sets the filing period as noon March 16 through noon March 30, with weekend office hours required only during the last 72 hours. That means state and county election offices will open 8 a.m. to noon March 29 and 30.

This is the first general election since legislators changed the filing procedure in an attempt to clear up confusion. Previously, candidates filed with local or state party officials.

Rep. Bakari Sellers, who's running for lieutenant governor, complained about the closed offices last week, saying he will introduce a bill requiring counties to keep business hours throughout the two-week period. Sellers, D-Denmark, said he's looking to make history in his bid for the No. 2 spot, which he filed for Monday. No African-American has been elected to a statewide office since Reconstruction.

Lt. Gov. Glenn McConnell, the former Senate president pro tem who stepped into the role after former Lt. Gov. Ken Ard resigned, has decided not to seek election to the job.

Republicans occupy all nine statewide offices. Incumbents filing for re-election Monday include Secretary of State Mark Hammond and Adjutant General Bob Livington.

U.S. Reps. Mark Sanford and Joe Wilson also filed for re-election, as did U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, South Carolina's only Democratic congressman.

Two candidates so far have signed up to challenge Wilson in the 2nd District: Republican Eddie McCain and Democrat Ed Greenleaf.

Voters go to the polls June 10 for the Democratic and Republican primaries. Any runoffs would be June 24. The general election will be Nov. 4.

All statewide offices, state and U.S. House seats and both U.S. Senate seats are up for election this year.